Cowger, James Ira
James Ira Cowger, 79, civic leader, pharmacist and farmer, who formerly was a teacher and at one time Yell County School Supervisor, died at the clinic here Saturday. After he left the teaching profession, he was in the mercantile business in Gravelly before moving to Danville in 1920. Soon afterwards he opened the Cowger Drug Store. He was a deacon in Danville Baptist Church and a Sunday school teacher.

In addition to his widow, Mrs. Ophelia Cowger of Danville, he is survived by three sons, Cleo of Danville, J. I. Jr. of Abilene, Texas, and E. L. of Fabens, Texas; four daughters, Mrs. R. C. Parks of Belleville, Miss Vivian Cowger of Danville, Mrs. Roy McNeal of Nimrod and Mrs. R. B. Mills of North Little Rock; a brother, Will of Wyandotte, Mich. and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Jane Hudson of Ft. Smith, Mrs. Fronia Tinsley and Mrs. Lydia Smith of Paris.

Funeral services were conducted in Danville Baptist Church at 2:30p. m. Monday by the Rev. John A. Freeman and the Rev. Charles Finch. Burial was in Danville Cemetery. (YELL COUNTY RECORD, 50 Yrs Ago, Danville, Arkansas - Originally published on Thursday, September 30, 1948)